Positive Changes

     In today's post on this blog, I want to spend some time talking about the benefits of making a midlife career change.

   I said career change, but it doesn't have to be a total career change, it might be doing something part time along with what you are already doing for additional income, or maybe it is taking up a new hobby. But many of the same rules apply, whatever it is that you are considering taking up.

"Contemplation
Belief but uncommitted. You believe you should change career, but cannot get started.
Visualize yourself as a new person. How do you feel about yourself? What do you look like in your new career? How have the attitudes of those around you changed? How much more energy do you have?
Add up all the benefits. How will the reduction in stress affect your health? How will the mental stimulation and challenge improve your emotional well being? Visualize the social and economic possibilities?
Be realistic about the alternatives. How many years work do have left in you? Do you want to spend them doing what you are doing now? How will that make you feel in 5 years, 10 years, when you retire? Will you be satisfied that making no decision was the right decision? Would you rather be active in seeking your next career, or passive and wait for something to come along that might suit you? Which is more likely to be successful?"

   The above quote is from a good article titled "7 Steps To Your Midlife Career Change", you can read the entire article here.

      One of the questions the above article asks is: "How will the mental stimulation and challenge improve your emotional well being? This was a big surprise to me that I was not expecting. Since I started learning and doing an online marketing business, the mental stimulation and challenge has been great! Instead of dreading and fearing whether or not I could learn something new at this stage of my life, I just went for it, and it has been a real boost emotionally for me. Many times in the past I talked myself out of doing something new and different, because I was sure it would be too much for me to learn. I regret the times I did that, and I am thankful I went through with it this time. If for no other reason, this has given me the confidence that I can learn something new, and encourage others to do the same!